COMPULSORY FAITH FOR THE FAITHLESS

Before I continue this, somewhat least controversial and possibly the shortest chapter of this book, I must extend my gratitude and utmost approval towards the Liberal Democrats for having the integrity to vote in favour for the abolishment of compulsory faith in schools, and faith school discrimination towards its teachers back in 2014. To make such a brave move should both commended and applauded by any person within the United Kingdom who consider themselves in favour of a secular government.

 

Compulsory faith in schools around the UK can also be deemed as a form of indoctrination, in my humble opinion. I know that many people reading this book would be shaking their head at such a statement, while the more sceptic individuals will no doubt be applauding the very same statement. In truth I can see this chapter being divided in opinion, and have some of the readers feeling angered by my comments. However, once again I extend my courtesy to you to understand that these are only my thoughts, and I have promised to be brutally honest throughout the text that follows.

I am going to give you a scenario, I would really like you to think about with great consideration; Imagine you were a teacher at a school that adheres to compulsory faith and I am a new student at your school who was recently transferred for being bullied. It comes to Friday assembly, in which the pupils of the school have to take part in compulsory prayer and singing the very same hymns that they recite in church. Classics such as, ‘This Little Light Of Mine’, ‘He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands’ and ‘All Things Bright And Beautiful’. I then advise you, the teacher that I do not wish to partake in Friday assembly because I am a Jehovah Witness and to be a part of said assembly would be a direct breach of my beliefs. I’d imagine that due to the UK’s Equality Act that I would not be subject to discrimination, harassment or victimisation. I would simply be excused from said assembly, without a fuss.

Usually, I would commend such a gesture of goodwill and grace, however, I will put forward one of my experiences as a child:

 

As to what age I was, I would be lying if I said I could remember, but let’s just say I was young. It was Friday morning and our teacher instructed the class to get ready for assembly as the local minister was attending the school. I remember my fellow class mate, who was also named Stuart (only spelt differently), had the courage to question the compulsory prayer that he knew that would follow. At the time, I was being indoctrinated by Steve* so I thought Stuart was being outrageous. He was always very badly behaved and forever getting punishment exercises. So I thought he was being his usual self; rebellious. He told our teacher with great pride that he did not believe in God, just like he never believed in Santa Claus. If only I had the same mind set back then as I did now; I would be on my two feet, applauding his bravery to express the sheer belief that he had lack of.

But what happened was absurd. The teacher forced him to be a part of the assembly, physically dragging him in to the empty dinner hall, where it always took place (which no teacher would ever get away with in our present day). Then she had the audacity to actually give him a punishment exercise to take home. We used to call punishment exercises, “Punnies” �" it was basically writing line after line of how tediously misbehaved you were at school that day.

 

Now, I ask you this question as the reader; is this fair?

 

Of course it isn’t fair! It seems to me, that as long as you were religious in said schools, you could either take part of assembly, or you may sit out if your God wasn’t quite as correct as the belief of the schools. But why would they care? At least you still have faith in something, right?

But the very second you explain that you lack a belief in the deity, you were deemed punishable by the board of education.

Ladies and gentleman, after reading what you have above, I’d imagine you can find it very difficult not to see why compulsory faith and prayer within schools are also a form of indoctrination; you’re being expected to believe in a higher being that created us, and also believe in Adam and Eve (which I will come to later in this book).

Is this form of indoctrination as detestable as the cults we see brainwashing worldwide? I think it is! The reason I think it is as detestable is because in a place of education we should be taught the facts from the highly educated member of the teachers faculty, so we can learn for ourselves. Teachers should not teach us what faith to believe in.